‘The Intern’: Past meets present in Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro's new film

U.S. actress Anne Hathaway arrives for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala 2015 celebrating the opening of "China: Through the Looking Glass," in Manhattan, New York May 4, 2015. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

The past meets the present in the film “The Intern” directed by Nancy Meyers, starring veteran actor Robert De Niro and reigning Hollywood queen Anne Hathaway.

The film is about a 70-year-old widower and a 30 plus founder of an e-commerce company who develop a special bond and a growing friendship with each other.

Ben Whitaker, played by De Niro, is seeking to fill the post-retirement void. He decides to join a senior internship program at an online fashion company run by Jules Ostin, played by Hathaway. The film’s humorous journey begins once the septuagenarian is accepted as the new intern at Olsen’s company.

For Whitaker, it is a new beginning in a high-tech work environment. He not only has to adapt to the new work culture, which has drastically changed over the years, but also has to unlearn to learn the new office lingo. The trailer of the film shows him amused to see employees using e-mails to apologise and the presence of an in-house masseuse.

Meanwhile, Olsen has her own set of issues to deal with, as the trailer shows her juggling her work and family life. Also there is the pressure on her to step down as her company’s CEO so that a new man can be called in to run her company more competently. In the trailer, one of Olsen's colleagues is seen telling her “Our investors think a seasoned CEO, could take something off your plate”. And it's intern Whitaker who comes to her rescue, and when she starts doubting her abilities, her intern/best friend tries to rebuild her faith in herself.

Whitaker and Olsen’s chemistry as intern and boss looks refreshing in the trailers, and it has the potential to lure the audience to the theatres. The dialogues are sharp and witty, and they may end up being the film’s highlight.

“The Intern” made its debut at Film Festival Oostende in Belgium on Sept. 15. It was well-received by the audience there. It was also shown at Wine Country Film Festival in the U.S. on Sept. 21.

“The Intern” opens in Australia on Oct. 1.